Donde esta Miguel Cintron?

Saturday night we had a nice going-away party for Mike Cintron. He's taking leave this week to pack up his stuff, then he's off to PCO (Prospective Commanding Officer) school in New London, followed by pre-deployment training. Then he's off to his ship, the 110' patrol boat USCGC Adak, WPB 1333. So, we wanted to make sure he got to see as many of his friends from work, school, dance class, etc, before he left. There was smoked pork and chicken, empanadas, homemade margaritas, chips & salsa, curry kabobs, pie... a great spread. And lots of folks made it: the Kesslers, his boss from HQ, Drina and his friends from dance class, etc. Our classmate Jill Malzone, who just started at headquarters, even made it. I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

I'm sorry to see Mike go, since I've enjoyed sailing, biking, and so forth with him while he's been in DC. But Mike has wanted to go back to sea, and his own command is a great opportunity (and a testament to his abilities as an officer). And living near headquarters means every time some old friends and classmates rotate out (Ron Caputo, Heidi Park, Mike), others rotate in (Jill, Dave Kessler, maybe Kirk). I just hope Mike has a good tour and takes care of himself and his crew over there.

It bears mentioning that I just heard from my old friend from Mt. Abe, Steve Schlesinger. Looks like the Army is posting him to Fort Belvoir starting this summer. This is the first time one of my high school friends has moved to the area, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm already planning a barbecue in my head, where I can introduce Vermonters to Virginia Tech and Coast Guard friends. A real "When Worlds Collide" kind of scenario.

Homeward Bound

I signed the lease yesterday for New Home Candidate #3. I'm planning on moving in on the 10th of February, so I need to be packing right now. I'm excited about this place: the price was reduced significantly, they are doing a lot of work on the house before I move in, and they are planning on doing more. Right now they are putting in new medecine cabinets, repainting the interior, working on the floors, rehabbing some of the radiators, and making some electrical tweaks. The owner is planning on repainting the porch and other parts of the exterior come summer, and possibly doing work on the bathroom and the kitchen. Also, he has offered to install an automatic garage door opener. Now I just need to find reasonably affordable movers, and I am gone.

The Paths of Glory Lead But to the Grave

The evening begins with presents and margaritas...

Steph & Aaron and Dan. First basket of chips are gone, some quesidillas, and the first round of margaritas.

Ian is dubious

Jane, Dan, Mike

The Kesslers. *Awwwwwww*

Steph & Aaron

...he's got those bug eyes... creepy

Dan is very excited about the delicious marble cake Jane made. From scratch. Awesome.

This one's for the ladies

Steph Morrison, Aaron Scholer, Jane Louie, Ian Peters, Dave & Sadie Kessler, and Mike Cintron took me out for an outstanding dinner at Taqueria Poblano tonight, for my 28th birthday. There were margaritas, and pork tacos, and presents, and homemade cake. I am very lucky to have friends like these, both here and in Japan, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Washington, and Vermont. Thank you, everyone.

Dr. Freeze

When I was young, any time it got significantly cold, well below zero, Dad would have us conduct this exact experiment to demonstrate just how cold it was. It never worked this well, but I don't think I'd like to be in an environment where it would. Pretty neat, though I suppose you could fake it fairly easily.

In other news, the Reds have fired their general manager and are looking for a replacement. I think my brother Chris should apply. But really, anyone who locks up Adam Dunn in a long term contract is fine by me. If they can find pitching as well, so much the better.

Lastly, today I turn 28. I got a card from my godparents Big Poison and Aunt Wenda that exhorted me to not "think of it as you getting older, but your show getting picked up for another season." It begs the question: am I a drama, a sitcom, a CSI knockoff? Man, I hope I'm Knight Rider.

Previously, on Dan...

(image from Universal Pictures Television Germany)

Happy Birthday, Sara!

In her youth

Today is Sara Best's birthday. Remember, Sara: I'll always be younger, you shriveled old crone.

Traffic School

Okay, everyone listen up. A flashing red means stop. A flashing yellow means proceed with caution. If a traffic light is displaying the two in two directions, it is identical to stop signs on one street and nothing on the other. It does not mean "Do everything possible to create an automotive Thunderdome of chaos at this intersection, right now." Did anyone take drivers' ed? It's right there in the Code of Virginia (and most other states).

So, guess what happened on my drive home last night?

(image from kisrael journal)

Neeeeerrrrdddd

My new glasses

Picked up my new glasses - it's nice to have a set not held together by tape and a hairpin. I also like how these look compared to my old set. I always felt those lenses were too big and round. Dad's new rimless set looked very keen, I think, so this is as close to that look as I could get. The folks at Pearle Vision said they didn't think they could do rimless for my prescription. I think that's because I have some astigmatism, and that makes the edges of the lenses too thick for rimless frames to work. These look pretty okay, though. And soon my nifty prescription polarized sunglasses will be done, too.